Complete Streets Policy Update to Access Minneapolis (May 2016)

The Complete Streets Policy is a companion item to Access Minneapolis, the City of Minneapolis’ transportation action plan. This process-based policy emphasizes the City’s commitment to building a complete and integrated public right-of-way to ensure that everyone can travel safely and comfortably, regardless of whether they are walking, biking, taking transit, or driving.

Background:

A central component of the policy is the establishment of a modal priority framework that prioritizes public right-of-way use in the following order: walking, biking or taking transit, and driving motor vehicles. This policy is consistent with – and builds upon – guidance that Minneapolis has already established in its transportation policy plan, Access Minneapolis, its Comprehensive Plan (the Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth), and many other adopted policies. Staff developed a Complete Streets policy to inform decision-making throughout all phases of transportation projects and initiatives. This process-based policy emphasizes that planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance activities are carried out in a context-sensitive manner that is inclusive of all modes and users.

Key Policy Elements:

•Establishment of a modal priority framework to inform City transportation related decision making that prioritizes people as they walk, bicycle, and take transit over people when they drive.

•All city transportation related decisions will follow the Complete Streets policy and implementation will encompass all elements within the public right-of-way.

•All transportation projects are subject to the process laid forth by the policy and implementation will be documented through the completion of the project delivery checklist.

•Application of the policy shall apply to all public and private projects and initiatives that interact with and impact the public right-of-way.

•Exemptions will be required from the City Council where adopted City plans and goals identify facilities for prioritized modes and are not include in proposed projects.

Stakeholder and Advisory Committee Outreach:

City staff initiated planning and outreach efforts for the development of the Complete Streets Policy in early 2015. These efforts included the identification of internal and external committees to help guide the content of the policy. A stakeholder advisory group was established to represent a diverse mix of modes, users, business interests, and partner agency stakeholders.

Meetings offered stakeholders opportunities to provide feedback and direction to City staff at key milestone throughout the development of the policy. The initial meetings focused on the identification of goals, expectations, key elements, and desired outcomes, whereas later meetings focused on actively editing the draft policy. Throughout the policy development process City staff worked to generate consensus amongst the committee’s diverse set of stakeholder groups by addressing each stakeholder group’s primary areas of concern.

City staff also attended the following City advisory committees: Minneapolis Advisory Committee on Aging, Minneapolis Advisory Committee on People with Disabilities, Bicycle Advisory Committee, Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Public Health Advisory Committee, and the Minneapolis Tree Advisory Committee. Additional presentations were provided to Minneapolis Downtown Council’s Greening and Public Realm and 2025 Transportation Committees, as well as the City of Minneapolis’ NCR department. Staff engaged NCR’s Access and Outreach division, made up of community specialists from Minneapolis’ under-represented communities.

Last updated Jul 20, 2018

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